Battle of Trient

The Battle of Trient (late November 1796) was a battle of the French Revolutionary Wars that occurred when French general Napoleon Bonaparte and an army of 2,166 troops assaulted the Austrian city of Trient in South Tyrol (now Trento, Italy), defended by 2,128 troops under Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser. The French threw their right wing against the Austrian defenders, who had the high ground, and the Austrian left flank collapsed and began to flee. A few regiments of French troops on the left flank scaled the hills and moved through the town, attacking the obstinate Austrian forces from the side as they attempted to defend the heights from French assault. The French forces were able to destroy the Austrian defense, and the Austrians were forced to capitulate after a general rout. 319 French troops and 2,075 Austrian troops were lost during the battle, which eliminated Austria's presence in northern Italy.